Apparatus for and method of combining enwrapments



Nov. 24, 11953 c. w. VOGT 2,660,098

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF COMBINING ENWRAPMENTS Filed Sept. 14, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l I I INVENTOR @lqzremce W Vogt BY W 7 2% ATTORNEYS C. W. VOGT Nov. 24, 1953 APPARATUS FOR- AND METHOD OF COMBINING ENWRAPMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept.v 14, 1948 INVENTOR @Zarence W Vmgi ATTORNEYS c. w. VOGT 2,660,098

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF" COMBINING ENWRAPMENTS Nov. 24, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 14, 1948 INVENTOR Cl arence W Vogt ATTORNEYS c, GT

7 NOV. 24,

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF COMBINING ENWRAPMENTS Filed Sept. 14, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lz W HIIHIIMIWQ I OR ence W. Vogt Y Patented Nov. 24, 1953 STATES QFFHZE.

APPKR'KTUS FOR- AND METHOD" OF" (TQMBINING ENWRAPMENFS' C1arenceW.-V0gt, Norwalk Conn. Application September 14, one Serial? No; 4!);277

7- Glai'ms. (Cl- 93-4.

This invention relates to the manufacture of enwrapments and in particularto the: assembling of preformed enwrapments into series orchain, usefiul for packaging awide variety of materials whether in a solid, liquid or plastic state at the time of packaging.

This application is ac'ontinuatiomin p'art of my eopendin'g'" application entitledlpparatus for and Process of Manufacturing Emvrapments, Serial Nb. 4 15384; filed July 29 19485now Patent Number 2'62-6;544 and also a eont'inuati'ondnpart ofmy eopending application entitled Apparatus for and Method. of Assembling Ehwrapmerits, Serial-No; 45,03 1; filed August 19 19.418.

It-is'an object of the present invention to provide amethod of and apparatus for assembling tubular-enwrapments-intoaseries; utilizing a plura-lityof prefbrmed enwrap'ments in the condition which they are received from present dayco'mmerci'al bag making machineryi Another object is to provide a method: of and apparatusfor assembling l'aags intoa series or chain so that the bags may be successively fed to filling nozzles of packaging machinery thus obviating present difficulties incurred in feeding bags to packaging machinery" for filling, and the handling of such bags during other packaging op'erations'suchas closing; sealing, etc;

A further object is to provide'amethod oiand apparatus for assembling enwra-pments in which the preformed enwrapments may'befed in stacks and: in which" chaining means may be advanced adiiacenii one-or more of suchstacks withmeans *for'removing' the enwra-pments from such stacks provideamethod of' and apparatus ion assemhling enwrapments in which the chains" formed" from individual enwrapm'ents may" be provided with handling elements in additionto the" chaining elements to facilitate control" of the-enwrapments asthey'a're advanced'during packaging: A. further. objectis to provide" a; method and apparatus for assembling enwrapments into chains or series in which the chaining: elements or the handling elements; or both maybe, detachahlyr connected tothe: enwrapments for removal when they have served their purpose; or: which may be permanently secured to i the enwrapments and thus: become apart 01? the-- final package wherethis is desired;

Other objects and advantages will becomeapparent" from the following. detailed: description accompanied bly thedrawings which;

Figure 1 is elevational view innsemidia'gram mati'c form of: mechanism suitable forlcarrying out the present" invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view'of theappanatus shown in Fig.1 tahensubstantially online' 2 -121 at. Fig. 1

FigaB-i's a fragmentary sectional viewofzaahatingelement in contact withthe chaining! means to illustrate one way" by which: adhesive matenial on the chaining means may be activated-toseeure enwrapments thereto;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view" taken substantially on 1in'e 44 of-Fig. 2;

Fig; 5 is-an'.enlarged perspective view of a portion of the mechanism-shown in Eigsl 1: to 4 to illustrate its operation;

Fig. 6 is aperspective -view' of a portion ot a chain or" series- 01 enwrapments produced the apparatus shown rags; 1" through 5 Fig; 7 is a perspective view oi a. portion ofa modified for-m of cliain or serie'sof enwrapments embodying the 1 present invention whi'ch may be: produced by slightly'mod ifying the appai' atiis shown in Figs; 1*- through Fig; 8= is asemi diagramm'atioelevati'onal view with p'arts-- broken awayillustrating a modified harm of apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig; 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view obtained 'by' viewing Fig. 8 in the" direction or the arrow'A;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of apontionofthe chain produced-by the'apparatusshownin Figz 8, and

Fig. 1 1' is a plan View of a portion of a modified fornr oi' chain-adapted tobe produced on an apparatus similarto" Fig-:-

In essence the present ihvention comprises" the provision" of individual enwrapments in a suitable source of supply such as a staelt'fromwhich the enwrapments maybeindividually-withdrawn and contacted with chaining means advanced past thesource ofsupply. The enwrapments are secured to thechaining means and further advanced' therewith. The term chaining means asused in the'pre'sent application covers' tlie elements or" members to which individual enwraping means. The resultant chain comprises pairs 3 of bags connected in series with the mouths of individual bags in the chain faced in the same direction so that the chain may be advanced to a filling apparatus and may present two bag mouths simultaneously. To secure the bags together and form the pairs of bags for connecting into the chain, any suitable method of pairing may be utilized. As shown in the drawings an elongated strip or tape having opposite surfaces provided with adhesive areas is one satisfactory 'way of accomplishing both the pairing and the chaining simultaneously.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 1 indicates a roll .of elongated strip or tape from which a web of elongated strip material S-l may be withdrawn.

The material 8-! passes between a pair of rollers 2 having their peripheral surfaces in engagement. Next, the strip or tape passes through .a creaser mechanism 3 which folds the strip 8-! substantially on its center line to provide a tape which is V-shaped in cross section. The strip 'S-l then passes upwardly adjacent a source of supply of bags and thence between a drum or roll 4 and a roll 5. The rolls 4 and 5 may be driven :in any suitable manner (not shown) in timed relation to provide the feed mechanism for advancing the strip 5-! as well as the other chain- .ing and/or handling means which will be described later.

To assist in withdrawing the strip or tape S-i the rolls 2 may also be driven in timed relation with the rolls 4 and 5. If desired the surfaces of the rolls 2, i, and 5 may be suitably covered with a resilient material or otherwise provided with a surface which will grip the chaining means and advance the same therethrough without slippage. Since it is contemplated that the apparatus may be constructed to handle various types of materials, and various types of enwrapments,

it is believed desirable to provide for adjustment between the axes of rotation of the rolls so that they will squeeze the material being fed therethrough with the desired pressure.

The numerals t and i in Fig. 1 indicate suitable sources of supply of the bags or enwrapments to be chained. As illustrated the sources of supply comprise stacks of bags 6 and l supported on one edge of a supporting surface or table 3.

To suitably support the bags in position on the table 8 and to permit replenishing the stacks without interrupting operation, a back-stop or support member It may be provided for each of .the stacks. Each of the members it may comprise a movable carriage with wheels H both above and below the supporting surface 8 so that it may ride along slot H in the surface 8 (see .Fig. 5) to support the stacks 6 and l in any adjusted position. 7

To cause the bags to move in the direction of the location from which they are to be withdrawn .and secured into a chain, pressure may be placed ,on the members weights [3 may be the weight applied cords or lines [4 which ride over pulleys i5 with Ii). For example, suitable provided and the force of to the members It through the cords M being secured to the members iii, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

At the opposite end of the stacks of bags 8 and 1 from the members It, the table or supporting surface 8 is apertured providing edge surfaces it along the margin of the stacks so that the chaining means may pass through the table 8 adjacent the stacks of bags. The stacks of bags are Supported adjacent the edges It by support members H which are adjustably mounted on brackets i8 carried by the table 8. If desired the supports It may extend only a relatively short distance above the table top 3 throughout most of their length having upstanding flanges or finger portions 20 extending to any desired height suflicient to properly support the stack of bags.

It may be seen from Fig. 2 that the strip or tape Sl passes upwardly past the stacks of bags in the region of an end thereof which as will be seen later is preferably the mouth end of the bags when the bags are stacked on a side edge. Adjacent the opposite end of the bags additional chaining means may be disposed, which in the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 through 5 comprises elongated strip material. Obviously if a relatively short bag is being chained a pair of spaced chaining means may not be necessary.

' higher axis of rotation than the supply roll El.

adhesive areas.

The tapes S-2 and 8-3 when withdrawn from the supply rolls pass over a guiding roller 23 and through a creaser 24 which superposes the tapes 'one upon the other so that adhesive coatings on the tapes S-2 and S3 may be disposed outwardly in opposite directions. These tapes are fed upwardly through the aperture in the table adjacent the edge surfaces lt and the stacks of bags 6 and l and around the drum 4 in a manner similar to the tape S-I.

As the tapes 5-5, 8-2 and 13-3 pass upwardly between the stacks of bags 5 and 1, individual bags may be successively withdrawn from the stacks and secured to the tapes at intervals therealong in any desired manner. This may be done by the use of suitable fastening means or by providing the tapes with either spaced or continuous Adhesive applying mechanism could be mounted to coat portions of the tapes with any suitable adhesive during travel of the tapes between the creasers 3 and 2 and the table 8. It is believed desirable to utilize tapes which have been coated with a suitable thermoplastic adhesive material. As the tapes pass toward the table heat may be applied to activate the adhesive to tacky condition at the desired areas.

Then these tapes may be brought into contact with an individual enwrapment in each of the stacks 6 and l and will adhere thereto suificiently 25. mar be prc ided nd driven by ant suitable m chanismpre erahlr i timed relatio with he balance. f; the. operating mechanism. Asmax be se n n F s. 2,. and 3r. these heater elements. 25. mas; en er... between the; sidesof. the. \l-shaped ta e -l and between the separate; but. superposed tapes. 3-2 and 3-3, to, heat. and. activate; the. ther-v moi l'as ie.adhesive.v mat r al withwhich the fi h 5A,. S-.-2 and. S.3 max be. coated. The shatt. 2.5 which carries. the; heater elements, 25, may be hollow to permitthe. circulation therethrongh and through. hollow. portions of the; heater. elements or a, heat transfer fluid supplied through conduit material may bereadily, handledby the present invention, by utilizing strip material completely cpalieiwith a. suitablethermoplasticadhesive materialhaying an. activation temperaturebelow the temperature. at which, such. material softens or shrinks. Where. the. strip. material chains. en: wrapments. of; theseplastic materials only a. p tionof the areaof. the strip. needbe. activatedf or chainin purposes... The. strip material, however, may also,- be useful, after it has accomplished its chaining function for sealing. the. end portions of s an. enwrapment comprising a, tubular, casing of thematerial' by adhering. the strip adjacent the edge of the tubing, f olding it, over upon; itself and activating the. strip completely to seal; itself. together and to, the-baa.

WhereJthe, bag, material is of atype innormal use,..such.as Waxp perrv setable parchment. e c, i may be. preferable. to. r duc the. 0st. of the trips-b prov ding nly spaced. areas of h rm p ast adhes ve. m terial. on hese. s rips. By proper; disposition and timing, of. the feeding of the strip material the coatedareaswillibeproperly activated by the. heater elements, 25'. o provide spaced hesive areas in h .lio t nswhere. i is desired" to secure individual bags, to the. strip ma e al;

as. he s r p pass upwardly th o h the aperture the table 8 and; adjacent the, edge surfaces l.6 it isonly necessary to dfefiectthetapes into contactwith thebags causing adherence be.- tween the bags and the tape. Apr suitable. de-

fleeting mechanism may be utilized. The drawillustrate the use ofpairs of. pivotall'y mounted-arms 28' and 31] each of which carries a leaf spring "finger 3l. The armsZ-B-a-nd 38*aremounted fon oscillationon pins 32 whichpins are journaleddn brackets 33'- secured to-tlie undersideof the-tabled: A suitable'coil spring-34 isconneeted toteach of thelpair of 'arms 2'8 and wand tends to. urge-- the: arms a together consequently-- urging theJeaf spring fingers: 3d ofeach arm together in a. position: where they will not deflectthe ta es S7 lg. and; S13: Intermittent-1y and? at: a proapriateytimedr intervals: each of theipairsof arms and;;3n are oscillated: to spread theasameq causing the; le f sprin finsers 3| to; spread and; deflect he ap in o n gement; with. the nnermost bags inethestacks; 6 and-1- when viewingfi'ig-z 1.,

The spreadin of. the a ms may. beaacccmplished bit almemb r .5. carried. ona pu h; rod: 3.6iwhich slides in. a. iiidewaxformed in; each of the brackits: 33 (-see Eig 4).. Atitslower endthe push-rods Qfiearrv follower rolls 3]; which may be activated byprojections 38; on cams. 4| mounted for rota;- tiorron theshafts Z6.- w-hich also carrythe-heater elementsv 2.5,. As. tha cams 402 rotate the. projections 3.8,therecn engagectheiollovver rolls, 3 caustherpushrods, 3.6.to-littand cause engagement at the members 35 with the. arms. 28= and. 311' to oscillate them about the pins 32. Thisspneads the: two? hairs: ot finger-s5 3d,. one: pair deflecting tapes S:2 and 3-32 into. engagement a; bag in each. of: thastacks 6- and is near. the: bottom thereof and; thaother'pair deflecting thesidesiof the. V-tapa S.t inta. engagement with top; portipns'. of: the. same two bags. After the. follower rolls 3-! terminated their engagement with the; proiections 38; of; the earns: 4.11, suitable: coil springs M. which; engage; a: portion on the; push rock 36, and the; lugs ie on; the brackets 33 will cause:- the: rods; 36 to, return to: their. normal position. permitting the. pairs; ofv fingers 3m to ccnvergeato-a non-defiectingpositiona.

when: the; bags aresecurect ta the; chaining means; byr an; adhesive. material. as. has. been described; it isgenerally desirable: to: utilize. a, thenmoplastic adhesive materiala of the.- type; which might be; termed: a delayedi action? adhesive: This means: that; after the.- adhesive material has been. activated by heat and; becomes; tacky it.;wi1=1 retain; its. tackiness foran. appreciable: time even though: the; adhesivamatcriak has; an. opportunity to: cool. below: its activation. temperature before adherence; iSiObtaiIllQd-t, As; shown in 2; this permits; the; locationofi the heating: elements; 25 at a. distance below: the; spring fingers; 3.1: which causmadherenceorthe:strip:matenialito-thezbagsi However, it is believed preferable to locate: the heatin elements; close: as: is; reasonably possible tosthanoirrtwhereiacllierenceiisito baobtained to; insurea secure Qonncctionr. Eon-example, the tips-of; the. fingers. 33k may; be heated'to insure; ad:- herencs; whens simultaneous; pressure; and heat area requireds for firm attacihment: betweentapes and bags...

A thermoplastic adhesiue material is; also; con.- sidereddesirable-from: the; standpointthat. when aasuiiahie adhesive: is utilized the; connectiomof the: chaining means; to. the:- individual. bags: can be detachable in characters. Thus; after the chain has been-red: to filling apparatus toadvance-ithe bagsl toathein: or; closing orsealinszn sitiona the-connection between; the-chaireingrmeansi andi the ba jmayba heated to: reac tivatea or-r soft-em the thermoplastic materiar. thus permitting thee chaining; means; to;- be peeled? or otherwise: severed: from: the a ba AS? the. tapes. S-l S45 and; S4. pass above. the stacks: otrbags; tha-pairsrof. bags whichzhaver been secured: theretowill be carried upwardlyas a chainz. The; members-of: each pair: Offbfings: are secured together by the vi tape S- I; and? the bags are' secured t into:: a: chain. by" their: connectionto the tapes S-l, S-2 and 8-3 whioh tapes are disposed betweenw each pair of bags"- In some cases it-isconsidered desirable to add" tosuch a chain, handling means or handling elements to facili tate control of the individual bags during their advancement to packaging apparatus; For" ex ample; when a bagis f'edto as filling nozzle it is: desirable" to provide a handling element to controb theibag, to properly position it Withrespect: toithelfilling nozzle: and to assist in openingrthemouth of'the baet'o permit entry ofthe filling nozzlei Such handling element's-mambo 7 detachably located in the region of the mouth of the bag and at a spaced location from the connection of the bag with the chaining means. Thus, separation of the chaining means and handling element will cause the bag mouth to open.

To carry out this purpose the drawings illustrate apparatus disposed above the table 8 to apply additional elongated strip material to the exterior of each of the bags in the region of the mouth.

Supply rolls 43 feed webs of strip material or tapes S-4 and S- to feed rolls 44 and 45 having their peripheries in engagement to grip the strip and advance it. Where the tapes S-4 and 8-5 are to be secured to the bags by a suitable thermoplastic adhesive material, the feed rolls 44 may be provided with heated segments or sections 46 with intervening insulated segments or sections 4'! to transmit heat to the strips S-4 and 8-5 at suitable spaced areas and thus activate to a tacky condition thermoplastic adhesive on the surface of the strips. As the strips 84 and 8-5 leave the heated feed rolls 44 after traveling therearound for a portion of their periphery, the strips 8-4 and S-& are applied to the outwardly disposed surfaces of the bags in the region adjacent the mouth thereof. This application may be accomplished by pressure rollers 43 which roll the tapes 5-4 and 5-5 onto the bags and at the same time may press the tapes firmly against 3 the bags to assure adequate adherence thereto. After leaving the pressure rolls 48 the completed chain passes over the drum 4 and may be transferred to a location where it may be rolled onto a reel or manifolded, stacked or the like. The completed chain may be sold as an article of commerce or transferred to packaging machinery for filling.

It is contemplated that prior to rolling, the chain may be opened so that the bags will lie flat with their mouth portions facing each other connected by the tape 8-! which will be unfolded to a flat configuration and the chain may be rolled in this position. In this event it may be desired to omit the use of the tapes 8-2 and 8-3 in the region of the bottom of the bag. The

handling and advancing of such a chain is illustrated in Figs. 1 through 3 of my copending application Serial No. 41,497, filed July 30, 1948, now Patent Number 2,626,544.

Figure 6 illustrates a completed chain made by the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 through 5 with the individual bags B secured into a chain in pairs with the mouth of each bag in a pair connected to one side of the V-tape 8-1 at a point adjacent the mouth of the bag and with lower portions of the bags of each pair connected to elongated strips S-2 and 8-3 so that the bottom portions of the bags may be supported and controlled as the chain is advanced. In addition the strips or tapes S-4 and S-5 are secured to the exterior surfaces of each of the bags to facilitate controlling of the bags and opening of .the bag mouths.

Asshown in Fig. 6 the strip or tape S-l is provided with perforations indicated by the numeral 5!! and these perforations may be disposed along the crease or folded edge of the tape S-l. These perforations serve as registry indicia to permit accurate feeding of the chain while it is being advanced. A star wheel having finger-like elements which enter and engage the perforations may be provided to accurately advance the chain. The perforations 58 may be formed as the strip S-l is withdrawn from its supply roll! by pro- 8 viding one of the rolls 2 in Fig. 2 with punch elements 5! which engage recesses or apertures in the other of the rolls 2 to perforate or aperture the strip S-l. If desired the rolls 2 may also be provided with mechanism to crease or weaken the midline of the tape 8-! at the apex of the V so that if it is desired to separate the bags of each pair during or after filling or sealing this may be readily done by tearin the tape or severing it with a rotary knife or the like.

The size of the adhesive area connecting the strips or tapes with the bags may be of any suitable dimensions sufiicient to securelyadhere the bags and strips together. In the case of a plain envelope type bag such as disclosed in Fig. 6 it is preferable that the adhesive area, at least in the region of the mouth end of the bag, be relatively small and disposed approximately midway of the sides of the bag. The adhesive area between the strip 3-4 and the bags may be as indicated by the numeral 52 in Fig. 6 so that as the strip 8-4 is separated from the strip 8-] the midportion of the bag will be pulled outwardly to open the mouth of the bag as wide as possible. Similarly the connection between the bag and the strip S-i should be correspondingly of relatively small transverse extent to facilitate opening the bag mouth. Further, since it will be generally preferable to remove the strips after they have served their purpose the connection between the strips 8-2 and S-3 and the bags may also be small but of sufiicient size to obtain adequate adherence. The adhesive area connecting the strips 8-2 and 8-3 with the bags is indicated in Fig. 6 by the numeral 53.

Fig. 7 illustrates a modified form of chain which differs from that shown in Fig. 6 by the replacement of the elongated strips S-4 and 8-5 with handling elements or tab members 54. The tab members 54 may be applied to the bags after they have been chained by the elongated strips or taps S-I, S-2 and -S-3 by replacing the mechanism for feeding and affixing the strips or tapes S-4 and S-5 with labeling mechanisms of conventional design. Such mechanisms may be of existing conventional design to detach and feed individual labels, a portion of the surface of the label being provided with an adhesive material to cause the label to adhere to the bag. As may be seen in Fig. '7 the tab members 54 may be provided with a flange or free end portion 55 not adhered to the bag and which may extend outwardly from the bag to be gripped by any suitable mechanism to facilitate control of the bags during filling, closing, sealing, etc,

If desired the outwardly directed face of the flange portion 55 may be coated with any suitable adhesive material to facilitate gripping thereof in handling and controlling the bag. Preferably, the adhesive material utilized to connect the tab member 54 to the bag may be thermoplastic. Then if it is desired to remove the tab member this adhesive connection may be heated to soften or reactivate the thermoplastic material and severence of the tab'member may be readily accomplished. The adhesive material which may be provided on the exterior surface of the flange portion 55, as indicatedby the stippled area 5% in Fig. 7, may be of the same nature as that used to connect the tab to the bag or may be of a different nature. I When such an adhesive area is utilized it is believed preferable that it have different characteristics from the adhesive used to adhere the tab to the bag so that activation of one ae'eaoes 9 adhesive area will not cause the other adhesive area to become tacky.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 8 is a modified form of apparatus for producing a chain 'or series of enwrapments in which the chaining means do not extend continuously along the chain as do the elongated strips 8-5, 8-2 and 8-3 shown in Figs. 6 and '7. In this case the chaining means comprise members or "strips secured to adjacent end portions of adjacent bags in the chain or series.

The numeral I'BI indicates a-stack of bags supported on a supporting surface or table Hi2 having side wall portions I33 and a restraining or supporting member I34 adjacent the edge of the supporting surface I92 from which individual enw-rapments are to be successively withdrawn. The member I34 may be suitably spaced above the surface I02 to support upper portions of the stack ID! and to hold the stack in place on the supporting surface. To maintain the bags in position for withdrawal and support the rear portion of the stack, a cylindrical weight or bar M5 may be provided which may roll along the supporting surface 182. To facilitate proper withdrawal of the individual bags the table IE2 may be mounted for oscillation about a pivot point 1'06 and at its other end the table may be supported on a set screw Iil'I threadedly mounted in a nut 1B8 carried by the frame of the apparatus and held against rotation. Disposed adjacent the supporting surface I02 is a drum or vacuum wheel III) rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft III. The drum or wheel He has a solid periphery with spaced apertures or ports H2 disposed at spaced locations thereabout. These ports communicate with radially disposed passages II3 which extend inwardly through the drum H and open adjacent the periphery of the stationary shaft I1 I.

The stationary shaft III is provided with a central axial passage H4 one end of which may be sealed and the otherend connected to an exhaust pump (not shown) to with-draw air from the hollow central portion of the shaft. In the region of the radial passages H3 the shaft III is provided with an opening or slot ".19 therethrough extending for a substantial portion of the periphery of the shaft. Thus, during a portion of the rotation of the wheel I II! theradial passages I I3 are in communication with the cen tral passage I I4 of the shaft and air is exhausted therefrom. This creates a vacuum at the ports '2 sumcient to withdraw individual bags successiveiy from the stack I-IlII and this vacuum commences when the passages H3 register with the beginning cf the slot H19. Looking at Fig. 8 it will be noticed that this occurs when the ports II2 are adjacent the table I92 and stack of bags MI. The bags withdrawn from the stack vIIII are carried by the vacuum around the periphery ofthe wheel IIEI until the ports II2 are no longer in communication with the central passage I Id of the stationary shaft due to the travel ogthe radial passages I I3 past the end of the slot Suitably disposed adjacent the drum or wheel III] is a similar drum or wheel i I5. The vacuum drum II5 similarly rotates about a stationary shaft I I6 and is provided with radial passages I Ill which terminate in ports I I8 disposed in rows on the periphery of the drum. The stationary shaft H6 is provided with a hollow passageway I?!) which may also be exhausted in any suitable manner. The shaft I16 similar to the shaft I II has an opening or slot H0 therethrough for an appreciable portion of its periphery to place the radial passages 'II'I and ports. I I8 into communication with the passage I20 and permit the drum IIE to withdraw individual chaining elements I2I from a stack I22 o'f-such elements carried by a supporting surface or rack I23 which is similarly constructed and adjustable in the same manner as the table I02. By applying a vacuum to the ports I'IB the two end portions of one of the chaining elements I2I may be supported on the drum II5 and carried around the drum as it rotates. 4

While traveling around the drum two spaced areas of the chaining element 2'I may be heated by heated sections I25 which heated sections are isolated by insulated areas I25 (see Fig. 9). "The heated sections may obtain their heat in any suitable manner, the drawings illustrating the use of resistance heaters which may be connectedto a source of electricity by wires, portions of which are indicated by the numeral I26. Only a portion of the wires are shown in the drawings since these electrical connections suitable to provide a flow of electricity to the sections I2 3 are well known and do not require a detailed explanation.

By utilizing chaining elements I 2I coated with a suitable thermoplastic adhesive material those portions of the elements I2I which cover the sections I24 will be heated to activate similar areas of the thermoplastic adhesive material. Then, as the drum -I I5 rotates into engagement with the bags carried by the drum III) the chaining elements I'2I with their activated adhesive areas are applied to adjacent end .portions of two individual bags carried on the drum III! and adhered thereto to connect the bags into a chain.

Fig. 10 discloses a chain or series of bags thus produced and it will be seen that the chaining elements I2'I are secured to adjacent end portions of the bags B in the areas indicated by the numeral I21. The chain thus formed may then be fed upwardly from the drums IIfl and H5 around a drum or roller I 28 which may be driven in any suitable manner or may be an idler roll to guide the chain as it passes in the direction of the arrow I30 where the chain may be rolled on a reel or manifolded until it is to be used for packaging purposes.

If desired handling elements I3I may be secured to the individual bags of the chain to facilitate control of the bag during its advancement to packaging machinery. To accomplish the securing of the handling elements I3I a vacuum drum or wheel "I32 similar to the drums III) and 'I I5 may be provided adjacent the roller I28 as shown in Fig. 8. The drum 132 rotates about a stationary shaft I33 having a central axial passage !34 therethrough from which air maybe withdrawn by any suitable exhaust means. The drum I32 may also be provided with radial passages I35 which terminate in ports I36 on the periphery of the drum. The shaft I33 may be provided with an aperture or slot I 3! to place the ports I36 and radial passages I35 in communication with the central passage 134 of the shaft I33 during a portion of the peripheral travel of the ports I36.

Thus, the ports may withdraw handling elements I3I individually from a stack I38 supported on a rack or supporting surface Mil similar to the racks I02 and I23. Further, a portion of the periphery of the drum I32 may be provided with heated portions to activate a thermoplastic ad: hesive material on the handling elements I3I as they travel around the periphery of the drum I32. The drum I32 applies the handling elements I3I to the bags B as they are supported on the pe-v riphery of the drum I28 to secure the handling elements to the bags.

The completed chain produced by the apparatus shown in Fig. 8 is illustrated in Fig. 10 and it will be seen that the handling elements I3I are adhered to each of the bags at a location spaced from the connection of the bag with the chaining element I2I. As shown the handling elements are adhered to an opposite side face of each bag from the location of the connection of the bag and the chaining element. When the chain is advanced, gripping of the handling elements I3I will serve to control the bags and in particular to open the bag mouths as they approach the filling nozzle.

The handling elements l3I may be of any desired construction, however, it is believed preferable to utilize a tab having an end portion I4I thereof secured to the bag. At its opposite end the tab may be provided with an end portion I42 having an adhesive coating thereon on its outwardly facing surface opposite from the surface by which the end portion MI is secured to the bag. Also between the end portions Id! and I42 an intervening portion I43 may be provided and preferably this intervening portion I43 is not provided with adhesive material on either of its surfaces. Thus in advancing the chain the individual bags may be controlled by gripping the end portion I 42 of the tab having an outwardly disposed adhesive surface. This outwardly disposed adhesive surface may be used to facilitate gripping of the tab member.

It is also contemplated that a chain such as shown in Fig. 10 may be readily combined with a similar chain by securing the end portions I42 to the bags of the other chain. The intervening portion M3 preferably not coated with adhesive material, is advantageous in that it may be used as a supporting surface for supporting the bags by the handling element. For example, the end portion I42 may be gripped by any suitable means or connected to another bag and the intervening portion I43 may ride along a bar or rail of a conveyor or the like. Also, the intervening portion I43 may provide a surface for gripping the bag to lift it or transfer it by providing a surface which may be readily contacted by fingers or other mechanism.

The size, shape and location of the handling element I 3! with respect to the bags may be determined according to the packaging mechanism and also may be varied to conform to the requirements of the packaging job. Similarly, the chaining elements I2I may be of any desired size and shape. As shown in Fig. 10 the chaining elements I 2| extend beyond the transverse width of the bags and may be suitable for use as a label on the completed package. The chaining elements I2I may be completely coated with a suitable thermoplastic adhesive material and for the purposes of chaining the individual bags together the areas I2! only may be activated. After the bags have been filled, sealing may be accomplished by removing one of the bags connected by the chaining element so that it will remain secured adjacent the mouth of the other bag. By heating the entire surface of the chaining element the thermoplastic adhesive material will be activated to a tacky condition and the chaining element or label |2I may be folded over upon itself adhering to itself and to the bag mouth providing a sealed portion completely surrounding the top and sides of the bag mouth. Such a closure provides an extremely satisfactory sift-proof and air-tight seal for the bag.

If desired, the handling elements I3I may be removed when packaging is completed or may remain secured to the bag for use in suspending the bag from a display rack such as by inserting the free end portion I42 into a slit or aperture in the surface of the display rack.

The modified form of chain illustrated in Fig. 11 comprises a series of bags B secured in a chain by the use of an elongated strip or tape 8-8 which may be adhered to each of the bags throughout an area indicated by the numeral I50. Such a chain may be readily produced by supporting the stack of bags to be chained in a rack disposed at an angle as illustrated in Fig. 11. The strip material 3-6 may be fed vertically adjacent the stack and individual bags withdrawn from the stack and secured to the strip or tape 8-6. If desired handling elements I5l similar to the handling elements I3I in Fig. 10 may be secured to each of the bags. The form of chain shown in Fig. 11 is believed to be advantageous, particularly for use in connection with filling apparatus having filling nozzles carried by a drum which rotates about a vertical axis. When a chain such as that shown in Fig. 10 is advanced to filling apparatus of this type it will be fed in a vertically upward direction and when the bags engage the filling nozzles they change their direction of travel and move horizontally. By the use of a chain such as that disclosed in Fig. 11 the bags may be fed in an angular direction to the filling nozzle and the required change in direction will be less than when the bags are fed vertically.

Chains similar to that shown in Fig. 11 having the bags disposed diagonally may also be made with the bags paired. If the rack supporting the stack of bags were tilted at an angle equal but opposite from that in Fig. 11, the resulting chain could be readily combined with the chain in Fig. 11 by adhering the handling elements of the two single chains together. By combining the two oppositely tilted chains, the double chain would then have all the bags disposed at the same angle and capable of use for feeding bags diagonally to apparatus having two filling nozzles.

While the drawings show the present invention in connection with a simple form of envelope bag, it will be understood that numerous other enwrapments may be utilized. Bags havin infolds or pleats along their side edges, or laminated bags, or bags of heat scalable material may all be advantageously combined in accordance with the invention.

It is also contemplated that the position of the bags in the stacks may be varied to advantage. In Figs. 1 through 5 the bags are supported in stacks along a side edge thereof and form a chain which, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7, may be readily fed in a horizontal direction with the bag mouths all facing upwardly. In Fig. 8 it may be seen that the bags are supported on their bottom edges and are withdrawn bottom first for chaining. When such a chain is completed and rolled on a reel and then unrolled for use in packaging the bags will be in proper position with their mouth ends forward for advancement to filling apparatus.

It will be obvious that many other variations and modifications from those shown and described for purposes of explanation and illustration may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

What I claim is:

1. The method of assembling enwrapments which comprises successively withdrawing individual enwrapments from a source of supply and feeding the same in a series along a predetermined path, advancing a series of chaining elements adjacent said path, securing each of said chaining elements to adjacent portions of individual enwrapments disposed in said series, and securing a handling element to each of said enwrapments at a point on said enwrapments spaced from the connection of said enwrapment with said chaining element.

2. Apparatus for assembling enwrapments which comprises a supporting surfac to hold a plurality of separate enwrapments, a second supporting surface to hold a plurality of separate chaining elements, withdrawing means to successively withdraw individual ones of said enwrapments, means to move the withdrawing means continuously to advance the enwrapments in a predetermined path in spaced relation, withdrawing means to withdraw individual ones of said chaining elements and successively advance them into superposed position with respect to portions of adjacent enwrapments, and means for adhering spaced portions of each of said chaining elements to the adjacent sides of said adjacent enwrapments.

3. Apparatus for assembling enwrapments which comprises a supporting surface to hold a plurality of individual enwrapments, a second supporting surface to hold a plurality of individual chaining elements, withdrawing means to successively withdraw individual ones of said enwrapments, means to move the withdrawing means continuously to advance the enwrapments in a predetermined path in spaced relation, withdrawing means to Withdraw individual ones of said chaining elements, means to move the last named withdrawing means continuously to advance the chainin elements continuously into superposed position with respect to portions of adjacent enwrapments, and means for adhering spaced portions of each of said chaining elements to the adjacent 'sides of said adjacent enwrapments.

4. Apparatus for assembling enwrapments which comprises a supporting surface to hold a plurality of individual enwrapments, a second supporting surface to hold a plurality of individual chaining elements, withdrawing means to successively withdraw individual ones of said enwrapments, means to move the withdrawing means continuously to advance the enwrapments in a predetermined path in spaced relation, withdrawing means to withdraw individual ones of said chaining elements and successively advance them into superposed position with respect to portions of adjacent enwrapments, heating means on one of the said withdrawing means, and means for adhering spaced portions of each of said 14 chaining elements to the adjacent sides of said adjacent enwrapments.

5. Apparatus for assembling enwrapments which comprises a supporting surface to hold a plurality of individual enwrapments, a second supporting surface to hold a plurality of individual chaining elements, a rotatable drum to transfer enwrapments from the first supporting surface to a chaining position, means on the drum to hold enwrapments thereto, withdrawing means to withdraw individual ones of said chaining elements and successively advance them into superposed position with respect to portions of enwrapments at the chaining position, and means for adhering spaced portions of each of said chaining elements to the adjacent sides of said adjacent enwrapments.

6. Apparatus for assembling enwrapments which comprises a supporting surface to hold a plurality of individual enwrapments, a second supporting surface to hold a plurality of individual chaining elements, a rotatable drum to transfer enwrapments from the first supporting surface to a chaining position, means on the drum to hold enwrapments thereto, a second rotatable drum to transfer chaining elements from the second supporting surface to the chaining position and apply them in superposed position with respect to portions of enwrapments at the chaining position, means on the second drum to hold chaining elements thereto, and means for adhering spaced portions of each of said chaining elements to the adjacent sides of said adjacent enwrapments.

7. Apparatus for assembling enwrapments which comprises a supporting surface to hold a plurality of enwrapments, a second supporting surface to hold a plurality of chaining elements, a rotatable drum to transfer enwrapments from the first supporting surface to a, chaining position, means on the drum to hold enwrapments thereto, a second rotatable drum to transfer chaining elements from the second supporting surface to the chaining position and apply them in superposed position with respect to portions of enwrapments at the chaining position, means on the second drum to hold chaining elements thereto, heating means on the second drum to heat at least portions of the chaining elements, and means for adhering spaced portions of each of said chaining elements to the adjacent sides of said adjacent enwrapments.

CLARENCE W. VOGT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,474,913 Radzinsky Nov. 20, 1923 2,013,844 Sherman Sept. 10, 1935 2,028,341 Masterson et al Jan. 21, 1936 2,206,043 Novick July 2, 1940 2,221,617 Steen Nov. 12, 1940 2,257,829 Winkler et a1 Oct. 7, 1941 2,400,759 Katz May 21, 1946 

